The Dorados CDs
Ladies and gentlemen, have we got an act for you. California's Larry Robinson and Gary Schiebler, otherwise known as The Dorados, belt out finger-snapping, feet-tapping fishing tunes on their CDs Hooked on Hookin' Up and Papa was a Fishin' Man (U.S.$16 each). Country-style music peppered with Cajun beats, blues licks and pop grooves, each song celebrates a passion for wetting a line, and you just might get a fishing tip or two. So if you're a "Muskie Man," or if you've tackled a "Big Boss Bass" or if you've ever wondered "Why's Everybody Getting Bit Except Me," then put your hands together for The Dorados.
Mahi Mahi Records
P.O. Box 1952
Fallbrook, California 92088
(888) 550-6244
www.dorados.com

Rapala Tail Dancer
Anglers and fish alike have been taking notice of the new Rapala Tail Dancer ($12), the first-ever balsa crankbait with an internal rattle. Offered in sizes #7 and #9, which are two inches and three inches respectively, this unique banana-style lure's wide-swinging action and noise make it well-suited to troll or cast for pike, muskellunge, walleye, lake trout or salmon. Available in 10 colours, it is the first Rapala lure to be equipped with super-sharp VMC Black Nickel Cone-Cut Hooks. The #9 can be trolled at a maximum depth of about 28 feet, while the #7 can be trolled at 20 feet tops.
Normark
1350 Phillip Murray Avenue
Oshawa, Ontario L1J 6Z9
(905) 571-3001

St. Croix Pro Graphite Fly Fishing Outfit
Long noted for its high-quality fishing rods, St. Croix is entering the reel market with a complete line of English-made fly reels. Featuring a fully adjustable click/pawl drag plus rim control, the reels come in three sizes that can handle three- to nine-weight lines. In response to consumer demand, this year St. Croix is offering a fly-rod and reel package complete with line, backing, leader and a Cordura-covered case for the fully assembled outfit. The Pro Graphite Fly Fishing Outfit ($280) features a moderate-action SCII graphite rod and a weight-forward floating line. It's available with four-, five-, six-, and eight-weight rods, in lengths varying from seven and a half to nine feet.
Halyk International
33086 Cherry Avenue
Mission, B.C. V2V 2T9
(604) 826-3639

Abel Perfect Tool
Always rummaging through your tacklebox for a hook sharpener, scissors or even a nail-knot tier? Now there's a multi-tool that replaces all those things you can never find when you need them. Designed specifically for anglers, the stainless-steel Perfect Tool (U.S.$40) is super compact: at just 2-3/8 inches long, it weighs only 1.3 ounces. The snap-locked tools on this gadget also include a hook disgorger, clippers, a wind-knot remover, knife blade, bottle opener, lanyard ring, three box wrenches and metric and imperial rulers, handy for measuring those trophy fish you just can't bear to keep.
Abel Quality Products
165 Aviador Street
Camarillo, California 93010
(805) 484-8789
www.abelreels.com

Fly Tech Four Seasons Wader System
Imagine one pair of waders that can keep you dry and comfortable throughout the year—no matter what the weather. The new Four Seasons Wader System promises exactly that: waders an angler can use from one season to the next simply by changing the liner. The system's summer liner is a breathable, stocking-foot chest wader made of Taslan nylon ($300). In the fall, zip in the 100 gram Thinsulate liner ($70), which can be replaced with a ComforTemp DCC liner ($150) as the temperature drops further. And when you return to the water in the spring, slide in the fleece liner ($40). Each liner attaches to the waders with zippers at both the top and the cuffs. Until early summer, when they'll be available in stores here, the waders and liners can be ordered directly from the manufacturer. (All prices manufacturer's estimates only.)
Stearns
P.O. Box 1498
St. Cloud, Minnesota 56302
(800) 328-3208
www.stearnsinc.com